MAY 2020 READS

MAY

TALLY: 59 Books – 15 Poetry; 14 History; 10 Memoir/Autobiography/Biography; 8 Books of Quotes; 5 Fiction; 3 Religion; 3 Art; and 1 Children’s Literature

The Language of Flowers, edited by Gregory C. Aaron, illustrated by Pierre-Joseph Redoute (Running Press, Philadelphia, 1991). Size: 2.75” x 3.25. Art/Botany. Read May 13.

Origami Bridges by Diane Ackerman (Harper Collins, 2002). Poetry. Read May 8.

Robert Lawson, Or A Minister’s Fortune by Horatio Alger, Jr. (signed by publisher Gilbert K. Westgard II, Boynton Beach, Florida, 1987. 33/200). Size: 2-3/8” x 3”. Fiction. Read May 13.

The Young Patriots: Six Brave Boys in the Civil War by Horatio Alger, Jr. (signed by publisher Gilbert K. Westgard II, Boynton Beach, Florida, 1987. 33/200). Size: 2-3/8” x 3”. Fiction. Read May 15. Read first of six short stories.

That Was Randado by John Houston Allen (Signed by printer David Holman. The Somesuch Press, Dallas, nd but ca. 1980. 214/295). Size: 2” x 3”. Memoir. Read May 26.

ZIMZALLA OBJECT 005 by Derek Beaulieu (zimZalla, 2011). Size: 1" x 1". Visual Poetry. Read/viewed May 6.

FLASH HAIKU by Derek Beaulieu (The Blasted Tree, Canada, 2020). Poetry. Read May 9. Charming and witty broadside.

Under The Impression by James Berger (BlazeVOX, New York, 2020). Poetry. Read May 7. My favorite poem at first read is "The Termite," which I share below:

LONDON by William Blake (Poems-For-All / irregular street press #1013, Sacramento, 2020). Poetry. Read May 1.

MINIATURE BOOKS by Louis W. Bondy (Sheppard Press, London, 1981). History. Read January-May 6. Critical reference book and history in miniature books.

Gresham's Law: Knowledge or Information? by Daniel J. Boorstin (signed by author, publisher (Stanley Marcus), illustrators and printers (Don Greame Kelley and Susan Acker), 1980. 80/300). Size: 2-3/8" x 2-15/16". History/Speech by Librarian of Congress. Read May 2.

Twentieth Century United States Miniature Books by Robert C. Bradbury (Microbibliophile, 1999). Reference/History. Read May 20-Ongoing Read.

A Triptych of Andrews by Andrew Brenza (loose pages in slipcase, The Blasted Tree, Canada, 2019. Edition of 50). Size: 3.25": x 3-58". Poetry. Read May 9.

Little Bits of Wisdom edited by Paul C. Brownlow (an “easelette” book, spiral-bound, Brownlow Publishing, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993). Size: 3.25” x 3”. Quotations. Read May 27.

Words of Friendship edited by Paul C. Brownlow (an “easelette” book, spiral-bound, Brownlow Publishing, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993). Size: 3.25” x 3”.  Quotations. Read May 27.

Rose Petals (Brownlow Publishing, Fort Worth, Texas, 1996). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Quotes. Read May 13.

LAST WORDS: The Final Journals of William S. Burroughs, edited by James Grauerholz (Grove Press, New York, 2000). Journals/Memoir. Read May 12. As I noted on Facebook: A relief to lop off this from the anti-tsundoku To-Read stacks. I grinned over how, when Ginsberg started talking about Blake, Burroughs initially thought, “Another mental..."

Christmas Stamps From Around the World (in slipcase. The Somesuch Press, Dallas, 1982). Size: 2.75" x 3". History/Art. Read/viewed May 10. With nice Introduction by Belmont Faries.

TIME FOR MYSELF: Quiet Thoughts For Busy Women by Janet M. Congo, Julie L. Mask, Jan E. Meier ((Janet Thoma Book/Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1993). Size: 3-1/8” x 3-7/8”. Religious. Read May 28.

Lot's Wife Was A Skeptic by Gladys Cook (The Press of Ward Schori, Evanston, IL, 1988). Size: 1.25" x 2-1/8". Fiction. Read May 10. For some reason the "bio" amused me as much as the tale.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Robert Creeley (Hanuman, Madras & New York, 1990). size: 2.75" x 4". Autobiography. Read May 19. I was aggravated by its first sentence, such that it inspired a disease called "Creeley's Disease" in my novel-in-progress.

Diary of John Dee (The Hillside Press, 1963. 139/325). Size: 2” x 2-3/8” Biography. Read May 3.

REQUIEM: Poems by Rodrigo Dela Pena, Jr. (self-published, 2014). Poetry. Read May 12.

DIANA: The Life of a Princess by Patricia Cronin  Marcello (Ariel Books / Andrews and MacMeel, Kansas City, MO, 1998). Size: 3.25” x 3.75”. Biography. Read May 23.

A Visit With Dr. R by Ernest Dawson (Glen Dawson, Los Angeles, 1988). Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”. Memoir. Read May 24.

An Open Letter by C.N. Earl, Los Angeles, November 29, 1887 (Peggy Christian, Los Angeles, 1971. Edition of 200 copies). Size: 1-3/8” x 1.75”. History. Read May 18. Smallest book in a slipcase in the Miniature Book Library.

The Wars of the Words by Willard R. Espy (Signed by printer and binder Don Greame Kelley and Susan Acker, 1980, 38/200). Fiction. Read May 25.

Ethiopian Missionary Story Book (Carved stone, 3 separate pieces inscribed on both sides and connected with string; opens to depict four Christian scenes, antique.). Size (when closed): 3.5” x 2.5”. Religious (more info HERE). Read May 5.

Symbol of America by Joy Goforth (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, 1986). Size: 2" x 2.75". History. Read May 13. As I wrote on Facebook: "One of my favorite miniature books is Symbol of America, published by a favorite mini book publisher, The Somesuch Press. As you see, inset in the cover is an actual Indian Head Penny, fitting as the author Joy Goforth presents the controversial story of how James Longacre designed this coin. He was the Chief Engraver of the U.S. who also worked on the Declaration of Independence. This 1986 book is the first to use Crane’s bank note currency paper for its pages (!) and the end papers feature some of Longacre’s designs for the coin. There’s a lot to this story of Longacre and the Indian Head Penny that I can’t present here, but I totally adore this 2-3 inch book.""

Howard Luck Gossage: An Extraordinary Man (w/ contributions by Herb Caen and Jessica Mitford) compiled and signed by Donald Stermer (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, 1984, 24/300). Size: 2-3/8" x 2-7/8". Auto/Biography. Read May 15.

Little is Beautiful Or Make Mine A Small One by Francis J. Weber with Bibliography compiled by Robert F. Hanson (Opuscula Press, Ellenton, FL, 1995). Memoir/History. Read May 14-17.

Hearts & Flowers (Heartland Samplers, Edina, Minn., 1994). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Quotes. Read May 13.

The News-Letters of the LXIVMOS: Complete 21 Issues Nov. 1927-Nov. 1929 curated b James D. Henderson (The Lilliputter Press, Woodstock, Vermont, 1978). History. Read May 28-29.

Lilliputian Newspapers by James D. Henderson (Book with five facsimile miniature newspapers in pocket in rear of book; book in slipcase. Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, MA, 1936). size: 5-3/8" x 7.25". Fascinating history of miniature newspapers! And it comes with really charming facsimiles of the old mini newspapers. Read May 6.

CANAL edited by Bjork Grue Lidin and Madeleine Stack (Canal, 2019). Poetry. Read May 14. Happy to receive my contributor's copy of this literary journal, and happy with the company with which my poems find themselves.

Helen Corbitt: The Balenciaga of Food by Elizabeth Ann Johnston (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, TX, 1992. 217/250). Size: 2-3/8” x 3”. Biography. Read May 15.

African Love Poems and Proverbs compiled by Charlotte and Wolf Leslau (Peter Pauper Press, White Plains, 1970/1995). Size: 3.25” x 4”

My Country, 'tis of Thee: A Bicentennial Keepsake with portraits and hand lettered copy by Herschel C. Logan (Log-Anne Press, Santa Ana, 1976). Size: 2-1/8” x 2.75”. History. Read May 1.

Longfellow Gems (Ernest Nister, London / E.P. Dutton, New York, antique). Size: 2.75” x 3.25”. Quotes from his works. Read May 11.

Humanity in Predicaments by Hans Lawrence V. Malgapu (self-published, 2020). Poetry. Read May 8.

Haiku Calendar 1970 curated by Robert E. Massman (signed. Miniature book with a fold-out annual calendar with haiku on one side and accordion-fold intro and colophon on the oter. REM Miniatures, New Britain, CT, 1970. 141/150. BR, REM 35). Size 2-3/8” x 2-5/16”. Poetry. Read June 27.

DIONYSIACA, BOOK III by Nonnos, Trans. by W.H.D. Rouse (Harvard University Press / William Heinemann Ltd. Loeb Classical Library, 1940-1984). Poetry (prose translation). Reviewed May 13. Am part of about 40 poets doing a verse translation.

Flowers For My Friend (Peter Pauper Press, White Plains, N.Y., 1992). Size: 3.25” x 4”. Quotations. Read May 13.

Karst Mountains Will Bloom by Pos Moua (Blue Oak Press, Rocklin, CA, 2019). Poetry. Read May 20.

A Stranger Passed By by G.H. Petty (Schori Press Evanston, IL, 1978). Size: 2” x 2.75”. Religious. Read May 26.

In A Station of the Metro by Ezra Pound (Poems-For-All / irregular street press #1014, Sacramento, 2020). Poetry. Read May 1.

Bider / Pictures 1991-2002 by Lois Renner, Edited by Maribel Koniger (Landesgalerie am Oberosterreichischen Landesmuseum, 2002). Art. Read/Viewed May 5. Fabulous--as I noted on Facebook: "I’m new to the art of Austrian Lois Renner but check this out: he creates a model studio (smaller than life size) and creates everything in it—that’s the sculpture. Then he takes a large scale photograph—that’s the photograph. But he wants the photograph to come off painterly—that’s the painting. Hence his artist statement from a most enjoyable & intriguing book, BILDER / PICTURES: “I want to make a picture of a sculpture using photographic means so the end result was painting.” As in the photo below entitled “Klass / Super,” a photograph impressive in scale and painterliness (look at that photographed red with the 3-dimensionality of pain brushstrokes!). And if that 3-fold approach isn’t meta enough, that image of the artist in it is of a photograph of an artist, not a figure he molded to be a sculpture. So smart! I recommend the book, but you also can check out his website at https://loisrenner.com

F.D.R. Gettysburg Speech (Black Cat Press, Chicago, 1977) Size: 1” x 1-3/16”. History. Read May 14. Edition of 200 copies designed by Norman Forgue, printed from type by Charles Young at the Norman Press in Chicago and bound by Bela Blau. Miniature Book. 1 3/8 x 1 1/16 inches. Unpaginated. [34] pp. Initials, headpiece and tailpiece printed in blue ink; text clean, unmarked. Gilt-stamped dark blue leather, fleur-de-lis end-papers; binding square, front inner hinge broken. Glen Dawson's copy without distinguishing marks. On May 30, 1934 President Roosevelt delivered a Memorial Day speech at the battlefields of Gettysburg, PA to remind Americans that the nation withstood the test of civil war and would endure the Great Depression. REFERENCE: Bradbury, 20th-Century U.S. Miniature Books, No. 2586.

Sunflowers: A Little Treasury of Joy (Running Press, Philadelphia, 1996). Size: 2.75” x 3.25. Quotes. Read May 13.

The Essence of Roses (Running Press, Philadelphia, 1992). Size: 2.75” x 3.25. Art. Read May 13.

In A Far-Off World by Olive Schreiner (Black Cat Press, Skokie, IL. 249 copies, bound by Bela Blau, designed by Norman Forgue and printed directly from type set by Maynard Johnson, Bradbury No. 2630). Size: 1-1/16” x 1.25”. Fiction. Read May 13. An evocative excerpt from Olive Schreiner’s Dreams.

Shaker Advice to Children On Behavior At Table from the Shaker Historic Collection (signed by Ward Schori whose press is publisher, 1994. 36/169). Size: 2.25” x 2.75”. Poetry. Read May 22.

What’s In A Name by Todd Sommerfeld (Booksby Press, Parma, OH, 2019). Size: 1.25” x 2”.Memoir. Read May 28.

Publisher’s Favorite (Tamazunchale Press, New York, Newton, IA, 1988). Size: 1.75” x 2.5”. History / Books About Books. Read May 21.

Tom Thumb History of the United States (The Colonial Life Insurance Company of America). Size: 3” x 4”. History. Read May 5.

A Kinder Way: Poems by Niccolo Rocaora Vitug (self-published, 2020). Poetry. Read May 6. Fresh poetry in the time of this particular Philippine president. Powerful cover image viz a sculpture "Phallus the Leader" by Toym Imao.

Queen Mary’s Miniature Library by Francis J. Weber (Junipero Serra Press, San Fernando CA, 1992. Edition of 250). Size: 2-1/8” x 1-7/8”. History. Read May 14. Description of the Library. Bradbury No. 3150. From Glen Dawson’s estate.

 The Shroud of Turin by Francis J. Weber (MarMichel Press, 1999. Edition of 500). Size 2-1/8” x 2 11/16”. Religion/History. Read May 14. Bradbury No. 3162. Designed/printed letterpress by Regis Graden / Nut Quad Press. Bound by Marianna Blau. Glen Dawson’s copy.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK compiled by Lynton C. and Joan Wiener (Peter Pauper Press, White Plains, 1994). Size: 3.25” x 4”. Quote collection. Read May 28.

The Veleteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (in box with plush toy VR, Running Press, Philadelphia & London, 2014). Size: 2.5” x 3”. Children's Literature. Read May 1.